Oct. 10, 2009

Final Stats

OXFORD, Ohio - An early goal and aggressive play were not enough for Miami Saturday as the field hockey team came up short against conference rival Kent State at the Miami Field Hockey Complex, 5-2. The RedHawks are now 8-6-0 overall and 5-1-0 in the Mid-American Conference, while the Golden Flashes improve to 7-5-0 overall and 4-0-0 in the MAC.

The RedHawks got off to a quick start today as the first Miami goal was scored 1:36 into the first period off the stick of Jackie Nguyen from Maggie Marcum. The defenses of both teams were able to stay strong until Kent responded with a goal at 11:18 by Laurie Wilkins from Debbie Bell. Kent State would strike again twice before the end of the first half with goals by Bell and Rhodenbaugh at 15:25 and 21:10, respectively.

Miami once again opened the new period with a goal at 39:12 by Marcum, assisted by Nguyen from the left side off a short pass. The momentum did not remain in Miami's favor for long, however, as Kent State responded with two quick goals at 42:26 from Kara Rhodenbaugh and at 46:44 from Bell. Despite several shot attempts, neither side would strike again, leaving the Golden Flashes with the win.

"We didn't fight hard, and Kent State fought for the entire 70 minutes," said Head Coach Jill Reeve after the match. "There was a lull for us in the firstââ'¬Â¦ We were not putting it all out there and that is always the difference in the outcome. Ohio is another physical team that plays as a tight unit, and we will have to fight hard for one another."

Miami is back in action tomorrow against Ohio at 1 p.m. at the Miami Field Hockey Complex.